April 3, 2011

Flea Market Finds!

Dang, I LOVE going to a good Flea Market! One of the best ones in Rotterdam takes place some Sundays at the Heemraadsplein. There is also a large market every Tuesday and Saturday with a 2nd hand section. It's okay, it used to be better. Lots of junk but definitely a treasure hidden here and there. Here is what we found at the Flea Market today...

I was on the lookout for uh, 'do-dads' to ummm, 'artsify' my Cigar Box Instruments. These emblems are great for embellishing the headstock and giving the instrument personality. Although, i must say, i really like that award. I might just keep that and wear it as a pin. It reads, 'Burger Wacht - 7 Mei, 1938'.
Brown Patent Leather Shoes with Bows and Golden Heels for 3 euro's & a Vintage Suitcase to add to my collection for €10!


Some beautifully rusted Skeleton Keys to use as bridges on some Cigar Box Slide Guitars for .50 euro cents a piece.

And lastly, a 'Sweet Tone Sopranino Ukulele' in it's original box for 3,- euro's. BAM, BABY! Marko's fixin' it up right now. Can't wait to hear it play. Oh, I just love Flea Markets!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

ho ho... look at that ! You hit the jack pot!

Shelley Rickey said...

Today i reign as Queen Flea!

YIMAonline said...

woow! I have never seen such a good collection of fleemarket things in Holland! Most of them are quiet expensive if you find something really old. This one in Rotterdam seems to be very special; keep me posted about when it takes place again!

Leonard Masino said...

Those old ukuleles are priceless; usually solid wood and sound great.

Shelley Rickey said...

Hi Leonard! Nice to see you pop up on the blog. Yes, it's a very sweet uke. So tiny. Almost tiny-ier than a Sopranino. Has weird frets though. I'm going to file the down and the lower the strings and it should be singing!
Hope you're doin' well!
X,s.

norster said...

What finds! Wow, nice one Shelley :)

absurdus_delirium said...

Hello there!
I started playing the uke in '07 with a Sweet Tone ukulele that masqueraded as a tiny guitar around the house I grew up in! It is actualy quite similar to the one you posted (though in much worse shape), solid spruce soprano with a beautiful tone. Alas, I haven't been able to find out anything else about Sweet Tone ukuleles. Do you perchance have any idea of where and when it was made?

Shelley Rickey said...

Hi Absurdis! :D
Well, this Sweet Tone was made in Shanghai, China. I love it but one thing is unusual. It's made so well yet, they put the weirdest frets on it. They are sharp and stand about 3 mm above the fretboard. Absolutely useless. But, the rest of it is wonderfully built and has a great sound. One day i'll refret this one. I adore it.